Title : Crystal structure of human
ZAG , a fat-depleting
factor related to MHC molecules
Abstract :
- Zn-alpha2-glycoprotein ( ZAG ) is a soluble protein that is present in serum and other body fluids
- ZAG stimulates lipid degradation in adipocytes and causes the extensive fat losses associated with some advanced cancers
- The 2.8 angstrom crystal structure of ZAG resembles a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) heavy chain, but ZAG does not bind the class I light chain beta2-microglobulin
- The ZAG structure includes a large groove analogous to class I MHC peptide binding grooves
- Instead of a peptide, the ZAG groove contains a nonpeptidic compound that may be implicated in lipid catabolism under normal or pathological conditions